How to Pack a Truck

If you've considered all factors and have decided to do it yourself instead of hiring movers for moving day, then you've probably chosen the size of truck you will need. If not, take a complete inventory of your household items including furniture, appliances, garage items, and packed boxes, and then allow extra room for things you may have forgotten about. The night before you move, or very early the day of your move, bring the moving truck home, making sure it contains furniture pads and two-wheeled dollies, and follow these guidelines when you pack it:

• Always load appliances first, and place them against the cab, cushioned by furniture pads. Load first your refrigerator and stove, and then your washer and dryer. Strap them securely using the hooks and straps inside of the truck.
• Place heavy boxes on top of your appliances, stacking them to the ceiling of the truck.
• Next, load your heavy furniture; couches, boxed springs and mattresses, dressers and bookcases, desks, large living room chairs, dining room tables and hutches, and coffee tables. Slide dresser mirrors in between mattresses after you wrap them in sheets or towels. Stack boxes on top of the furniture to the ceiling of the truck.
• Balance the load on the truck as much as possible. If you place a heavy item on the left, place an equally heavy item on the left.
• Load your heaviest boxes next, making sure that you pack them tightly, and then continue to load the truck with your next heaviest boxes, ending with the lightest weight boxes.
• Anything that won't fit into the structure of a box goes last on the truck. If you have a riding lawnmower, drain the gas and oil tanks before you transport it, and make sure that it is covered well.

Take down your curtains and drapes, fold them, and put them into a large trash bag. Put your curtain rods into a large hamper or trashcan, and then place the bag of curtains inside to pack it tightly. Use bedding and pillows as cushioning for furniture on the truck.

If you're moving a short distance, put all of your refrigerated and frozen foods into a large trash bag, inside of a trash can, and tape the lid shut. Unpack the food as soon as possible into your refrigerator and freezer.

Take dresser drawers out of the dresser before you move it onto the truck, and then put them back into the dresser and tape them shut with painter's tape. Make sure that you pad wood furniture very well, to ensure against damage.